Hating April

by S. Ashley

A single wedding planner, cliché, right? What about a woman with fantasies of her enemy?

April Davis makes dreams come true for everyone but herself. Hurt by past love, she focuses on her business and not her lonely heart. When she’s asked to plan her best friend’s wedding, April is thrilled…until she finds out she’ll be forced to work with he-who-shall-not-be-named.

When Finn Stone isn’t immersed in being a culinary genius, he steers clear of relationships. Finn practically has a different woman for every day of the week. Now his best friend is getting married, and he can’t say no to catering the affair, even though it means getting stuck working with the “she devil” wedding planner herself.

In the hidden space under the willow trees at the venue, April and Finn’s feud boils into something sweet. April and Finn have never been anything but enemies, leaving them both in uncharted territory. Hiding their developing relationship, worrying they could destroy the most special day of their best friend’s lives, and throwing in a toxic ex-boyfriend, can they stand strong like the willow trees? Or will everything fly apart in the storm?

Genres: Enemies To Lovers

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2025

Reviews

[Miss Library Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enemies to Lover? check
Steamy, Sexy, bend me over the motorcycle and tell me I'm a good girl? double check.
I love a story with unfiltered banter, and the FMC brought it, and the MMC served it back straight from the pits of Hell(s) Kitchen on to her dinner plate at every friends dinner party. (see what I did there) They say revenge is best served cold, but I don't think this MMC got the memo. He loves to cook, and she hates his food, and like Elsa, her heart may be frozen, but the filter on her mouth isn't.
The MMC and the FMC don't seem like the two to fall for each other, but here we are in an epic I hate you, but tell me I'm a good girl and I'll be thawing out faster than a Thanksgiving Day Turkey in the microwave, because you forgot to put it in the fridge 2 days ago. Go ahead and grab that Turkey baster, spread those legs, and fill me up with all the herbs and spices because this book had me gushing for more. If you want to see a misunderstood biker and a wedding planner who has only known abuse, fall in love, well grab a copy and buckle up buttercup, your shits about to get rocked. ( I ARC read this)

[Fatima M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for BookFunnel for a digital ARC of Hating April!!!! My honest review is I really enjoyed this book. Any book that has the MMC being chef SIGN ME UPPP. I love how passionate Finn is about cooking and the business he runs with it. April being a wedding planner was super fun. Their chemistry was there since the beginning i love it. Once they started liking each other😍😍 it was spicyyyy especially since Finn has a dirty little mouth🤭🤭 the one thing that i didn't like was the secret with Aprils friend. she made it a big deal then it was but overall i really liked this book❤️❤️❤️

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, spicy, slow-burn chaos that is the second book in the 𝘙𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭 𝘙𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 series— this one gave me all the enemies-to-lovers angst, secret glances, and biker-boy brooding I could want.

April and Finn? Oh, they 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦 each other. Like, full-on scowls and snarky jabs every time they’re in the same zip code. But when their best friends rope them into helping plan a wedding, they’re forced into close proximity 🙌🏻 and we know what happens next—suddenly that loathing starts to 𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧.

April is a wedding planner with serious grit and a heart full of hope—despite the fact that her past relationships (including one SERIOUSLY toxic ex *𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴) tried to crush both. She’s the kind of character you want to root for—soft but strong, building something beautiful that carries her family’s legacy.

And Finn is a motorcycle-riding, commitment-dodging chef with a hidden heart of gold. He’s got that bad boy swagger, but he also spends his off days at soup kitchens and dog shelters, making you fall in love with his cinnamon roll, delicious self. And when he says, “You’re not just some girl… you’re my girl,” SAY LESS.

I’ll admit though, it took me a bit to really connect with the characters. But somewhere around the halfway point, something 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥, and I was all in. There were a few small editing hiccups—nothing wild, but enough to catch my eye—but honestly? The cozy pacing, spicy scenes, and that soft, satisfying HEA made it 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 than worth it.

A quick, feel-good read with heart, heat, and just enough sass to keep you flipping pages. Would 100% recommend if you love a reformed playboy, a fierce romantic heroine, and some chaotic forced proximity tension.

•Biker/Bad boy MMC
•Enemies to lovers
•Forced Proximity
•Wedding planner x chef
•Banter
•Spice
•HEA

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Sarah Putrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Royal Rooster series and can be read as a standalone. It has enemies to lovers, secret dating, and a biker MMC. The story follows April and Finn who completely despise each other but when both of their best friends ask to help with their upcoming wedding they are forced to work together. Some magic under the willow trees and things begin to change.

April is a wedding planner that has a venue on the land she inherited from her grandparents. The people for whom she thinks of what true love is she pictures them. In her past she's had some bad luck with relationships though as her last one was emotionally and a little physically abusive.

Finn is a biker playboy that's never been into relationships. His past trauma really shaped his future even down to why he's a chef. He's a real sweetheart though too that volunteers a lot of his time to a soup kitchen and dog shelter. There's a quote I really liked from him that is swoon worthy - "You're not just some girl...you're my girl."

In the beginning I did have a hard time connecting to the characters but by half way things got much better and I ended up really enjoying it. I did notice a few errors here and there and that's not something I generally notice but if it happens often that's when I'll take notice. I didn't feel these things took away from the story too much as I still liked it overall.

A cozy quick read with lots of nice spice throughout and a sweet HEA.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hating April by @s.ashley_author had me giggling from the first chapter — I was instantly charmed by the relatable inner monologue. It gives major I’m just trying to survive and not strangle anyone today energy, and I was here for it.

But let’s sprinkle in a quick PSA: if you’ve got a narcissistic or gaslighting ex lurking in your past, consider this your official trigger warning. S. Ashley doesn’t hold back — the ex drama in this book had me side-eyeing my phone like it was about to start ringing with an apology I didn’t ask for.

The pacing is solid, and there’s this low-key tension threading through the story that made it really readable.

And can we talk about the kitchen scenes…I never knew culinary training could be so… steamy. Like, simmer down, chef. I was not expecting to fan myself over someone wielding a spatula, but here we are.

Now, while I appreciated the fun and flirt, I couldn’t help feeling like there were just too many secrets being kept. April has a great circle of friends — loyal, supportive, and clearly ride-or-die — so the lack of deeper emotional openness felt off. It’s like she was baking a layered cake and just… forgot the filling. Still tasty, but lacking that richness I was craving.

So, while the story had its charm and definitely made me smile (and blush), it didn’t hit that emotional depth I was hoping for. A fun ride, if you’re looking for a quick and easy read.

[Confessions of a Bookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Touching her has this world stopping effect on me. She settles all the loud, noisy emotions swirling in my head."

This is the first time I have read S. Ashley and I thoroughly enjoyed April and Finn's story. I am always down to read a good enemies-to-lovers and this one included all the things I look for with this trope...a not so meet cute, lots of banter, tension for days, and an HEA.

Both April and Finn are honestly these fantastic people that anyone would be lucky enough to have in their lives and yet they bring out the worst in each other. Their first meeting was an absolute disaster and from that point on there was no getting along. When their two best friends get engaged they have no choice but to try and get along since Finn is the chef and April is the wedding planner. One on one time together will now be required.

Quite frankly the one on one time together is just what these two needed to see the other's true colors. It isn't long before they find they actually work very well together. Finn deserves the care and attention April gives him and vice versa. Them being a couple makes perfect sense. I love how quickly Finn does a 180 from his playboy ways to just wanting to make April happy and see her smile. All in all, their relationship is effortless with no third act breakup (thank heavens).

Now I need to go back and read book one and look forward to more from this series!

[IaMeganF aka Booksinthebackseat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hating April by @s.ashley_author is a sweet, spicy, slow-burn mess in all the best ways—and I mean that lovingly. It’s book two in the Royal Rooster series (iconic name, let’s be real), and it brought the enemies-to-lovers angst, motorcycle boy brooding, and “I can’t stand you but I’d still kiss you” energy I crave.

April and Finn? They 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦 each other. Like, capital-H Hate. Full-on glare-and-grumble every time they’re within arm’s reach. But when their BFFs get engaged and rope them into wedding planning? Surprise—forced proximity, baby. And that hatred starts to simmer into something way hotter than just cake tasting. 🍽️

April is a scrappy, soft-hearted wedding planner with a toxic-ex past and a legacy to protect. She’s the type of heroine who keeps going even when the world tries to break her—and I loved that about her. And Finn? He’s a dog-loving, soup-kitchen-volunteering, tattooed chef with commitment issues and “you’re not just some girl… you’re my girl” vibes that had me melting like butter in a hot skillet. 🫠

The banter? 10/10.
The spice? Sneaky and sizzling. 🔥
The kitchen scenes? 😳 Let’s just say, I’ll never look at culinary school the same again.

BUT—and there is a but—I did struggle to connect emotionally with the characters for a bit. There were moments where I was screaming “Just TALK to each other!” through gritted teeth. April’s friend group is ride-or-die, so the fact she was bottling so much up felt off. Like, girl, don’t be out here icing your emotions like a dry cupcake. We need that frosting.

Also—minor editing bumps, nothing major, but noticeable.

Still, it’s a fast-paced, flirty little rollercoaster with enough heart and heat to keep me flipping pages. If you love:
✨ Bad boy x sunshine tension
✨ Wedding planner x chef dynamic
✨ Forced proximity + found family
✨ Just the right amount of emotional chaos

…you’ll eat this up.

📚 PSA: If you’ve ever dealt with a manipulative or gaslighting ex, check those trigger warnings. This book does not shy away from that type of toxicity—and honestly? I appreciated how real it felt, even if it made me side-eye my phone like an unblocked number was about to trauma-text me.

[MKBookHoarder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Hating April is the second installment in the Royal Rooster series, it easily stands on its own. The story revolves around the classic enemies-to-lovers trope, centering on Finn, a bad boy biker and chef, and April, a sharp-tongued, headstrong wedding planner.

From the start, Finn was easy to connect with—he’s got that irresistible blend of rough edges and a good heart, even if he struggles with commitment. April, on the other hand, was a tougher sell. Her attitude in the beginning came off as snobbish and abrasive—ever heard of tact, girl? But just like their relationship, something shifted around the midway point. Her character deepened, and I found myself genuinely rooting for her.

Their forced proximity (thanks to meddling best friends) leads to some sizzling chemistry, but what really makes the story shine is the way both characters grow—individually and together. The payoff is a satisfying happily-ever-after that feels earned.

If you're a fan of fiery banter, opposites attracting, and emotionally satisfying romance, Hating April is definitely worth the read.

[psych0_4books · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enemies (or annoyances) to lovers where she's a sassy wedding planner and he's a chef with a filthy mouth. April and Finn have chemistry that radiates off the page but they are determined to hate each other, slinging insults and banter during each encounter. The plot of the story follows these two as they get trapped into working together for April's best friend's wedding.

I enjoyed all the characters. April is working hard on her wedding planning business and I love how at times she was amiable, particularly for her family and friends, and a firecracker when necessary. Finn is a charmer and despite his womanizing ways, he is respectful. Once he and April share their pasts with each other and lower their defenses, the passion is consuming. The spicy moments were so good and the little bouts of jealousy was cute. A cute story with memorable characters.

*Thanks to S. Ashley for the ARC!

[Kat Eakins · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I have to admit I screwed up. Not sure how, but when I started this book, I thought I was reading book 1 (Freeing Mallory). So when the main characters were April and Finn, I was very confused. I also didn't realize this book was an enemy to lovers. Between those 2 mistakes, I almost didn't finish it.  I did set it aside for a couple days, then returned to it. And I'm glad I did. 


The story is easy to read and very believable.  The situation is one that could happen to anyone we know. The characters are real too. I think I had friends just like them. Its a sweet romance with heat. I wasn't a huge fan of their personalities in the beginning, but like with most people, they grew on me. I did feel there were a few issues, but it didn't distract from the overall story. If you want a fast, easy, believable romance,  this is a good one.  

[HopesBookCollection · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute story with spice along the way. The growth between the two main characters was so cute! This was definitely an enemies to lovers' story! The tension, the bickering, and the hate in the beginning were so cute! Like you could tell, they hated each other but really couldn't look away! I love how much of a family all the characters are and how they all have a huge part in the story.

There are twists and turns, spice, and some naughty bike scenes. A wedding planners best friend is getting married, the best friends fiancé's best friend is the cook... ooh, how the tension flies! But things somehow change and they become something else but.... It's a secret. Can't they keep the secret from being exposed before they want? 🤫

I really love how she intertwined the characters from the first book into the second and so on.. I love when authors do this with their characters so we can continue the journey with the people we fell in love with! I absolutely LOVED Aprils story on how she knew she wanted to be a wedding planner. The story is so cute!

The only thing that got me was the beginning time line through me in a big loop.. I thonk if there were headings that said *6 months later, etc..* it would have been easier to stay on top of it.. but that was just the very beginning. The rest was a fabulous story!

[Bianca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really had to push myself to finish this one. The book did have some potential as far as the story itself, but the writing seemed very elementary and made it difficult to take it seriously as I read. For example: "He called me beautiful. EEK..." Additionally, both the main characters nearly had me DNFing about 50 or so pages in, but I kept going (after like a week hiatus) because like a lot of avid readers, DNFing is just simply a no. April came across as a snob with no tact, and Finn, a shameless but also highly disrespectful womanizer. The story got marginally better as it went on, but unfortunately, it did not hit any positive marks for me.

I received this book as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Hating April
Series: The Royal Rooster Series Book 2
Author(s): S. Ashley
Genre:
Publication Date: April 26th, 2025
Publishing Co.:
Length: pages/ chapters
Rating: 5 ⭐️ / 🌶️

Trigger Warnings:

Addiction


Tropes:

Enemies to Lovers

Slow Burn

Biker Gang/Crew

Family Drama

This is my first ever novel by S. Ashley and I absolutely couldn’t put it down! I didn’t realize that this was the second book of the series, I’ve already downloaded Freeing Mallory. the banter, push/pull between April Steven’s ( our wedding planner FMC) and Finn Stone ( our chef MMC) is TOP TIER!

***Full Review Coming Soon***

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️ARC Review✨️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.4.5
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 5/5 spicy: 😮‍💨😍
Sooooo much spice!!! is it hot in here? or is it just this book?!

I enjoyed this book! So spicy!! broody biker chef? Sign me up! April is career minded, gorgeous, and always looking out for others. Then they are forced to work together for their best friends wedding. Every character was fun to follow and love the relationships between them all! I definitely will have to read the first book in the series! I definitely recommend it!!!

✨️Enemies to lovers
✨️Toxic ex-boyfriend
✨️Biker
✨️He falls first
✨️ Secret dating

Thank you so much for choosing me to do this ARC review!! ❤️

[Bookish Venturess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great one. I love how April and Finn hate each other to then end up falling in love. The secret relationship that way it doesn't ruin their friends wedding made it that much hotter. The relationship between them is one that you can feel the truth it's not built on lies or hidden things like most relationships start with. April and Finn already thought the worst of each other so when they realized they liked each other nothing was off limits. I love how Finn is so protective and worried about her while also giving her space to be herself. Overall a great story, great romance with spice, and a protective male character.

[Ashley Serino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book. It will immediately pull you in. It's fast-paced and kept me engaged the whole time

I could FEEL the push and pull between April and Finn. The Author just knows how to write that dynamic so well.

The enemies-to-lovers trope is so huge in this one. There were a lot of hilarious moments with their banter.

But the SPICE 🥵🥵 it's good. It doesn't take anything away from the story. It definitely adds to it, but it's for sure a cute romance, with a shit ton of well done spice.

Annnywaay. Read it. 100% worth it.

[cozyybookvibes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Bookfunnel for sending me an ARC for this book!!

This being the second book in the Royal Rooster series, it follows April and Finn who absolutely despise each other. But when they’re forced to work together for their friend’s upcoming wedding, things change.

I so enjoyed reading their story! It was beautiful and real, spicy as all hell, and funny all in one go. If you’re into books with enemies to lovers, secret dating, toxic ex boyfriends, with some amazing heat then this book is definitely for you!!

This review is my own personal opinion of this book!

[Heather Angeli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! Now I need to go read book 1!
April and Finn probably hate each other just about the same amount, from her dislike of his cooking to just his dislike of her! But when their best friends get engaged and the wedding is at Aprils venue and catered by Finn- they now have to play nice for their friends.
I was not prepared for the plot twist that came about, it was so unexpected but made soooo much sense!
His compassion for her made my heart melt. Where can I find me a Finn?
4✨
5🌶️ love a man with a hair tie ready and waiting

[bookowlcourt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special Thanks to the Author S. Ashley for gifting me this book. All Opinions are my own!*

I had no clue that this was book 2 in a standalone series! But I loved this Enemies to lovers- Slow-Burn Hate to Love book ! It was good ! April and Finn absolutely hated each other but it slowly but surely went away…..Overall really welll writing and i truly enjoyed reading this story. I’m off to read Freeing Mallory! I recommend you do the same if you haven’t already. Looking forward to what Author S. Ashley writes next!

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was giving the honor of ARC Hating April, and I fully enjoyed it. This is the second but in the series, but it is totally OK to read as a stand-alone. Finn and April have to work together for the sake of their friend's wedding. They find themselves falling for each other and yep enemies to lovers. Finn is a hot motorcycle club owner that is the cook, which he learned how to at a young age. April is a wedding planner who had amazing grandparents who showed her what true love is. If you love a good Motorcycle Club romance, then you will love this.

[Wendy Oak · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3'75 ⭐)
“I'm so happy I hated you first and get to love you second.”

First of all, thanks Ashley for this ARC 🙂‍↕️!
It took me a bit to enjoy this story because I wasn't connecting to the characters, but during the second half of the book I got hooked on the story. (We love a guy like Finn 🫡)
The ❤️‍🔥 scenes are well written and are enjoyable.
(April's ex can go to HELL!!!!)
If you enjoy a secret relationship and a nice spice, this is for you. This book is short and it's kinda easy to read.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a 5 ⭐️ for me. This is a sweet, spicy, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers angst, secret glances, and featuring a brooding biker-boy. 😈 This is the second book in the Royal Rooster series by S. Ashley.

This story had me hooked from the start. With each page turn I wanted more and more. I loved this story and absolutely devoured it. I am new to this author but look forward to reading more of their work.

[TJ Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

look, this started out strong, and I'm like, oooohhhh, this is gonna be good wedding planner and chef. talks about her childhood history. but no actual details to enlighten you, no real depth, just seemed surface level. and I like my smut really detailed, so I was let down here. still a good atory, just not for me.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable read by the author. This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone. I enjoy the authors way of writing and enjoyed reading about the characters. April & Finn are two characters that will stay with me for quite sometime. Looking forward to what she will write next.

[Cylie Moody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have recently discovered S. Ashley and her books are amazing! I just finished arc (advanced reader copy) reading Hating April it will be available April 26. This is an enemies to lovers, playful banter, found family. This is a interconnected stand-alone. I highly recommend that you read Freeing Mallory as well!

[Alisha Pascual · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my wow!! The banter and sexual tension between Finn and April is off the charts!! The writing of the characters past, the plot, the dialogue, everything, was amazing. I loved the progression of Finn and Aprils relationship throughout the book and how Finn has never been in a relationship but knows she’s who he wants. Oh and Finns dirty talk, wow 🥵 I absolutely loved this book. 💕🩷

[Angel aka BooksnCats007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's not to love about an enemies to lovers story between a wedding planner and a sexy, motorcycle riding chef who can make amazing food?
This was a fun, spicy story with elements of friendship, fun, and love.
Spoiler-the classic 'engagement under the willow tree' was my favorite part of the ending.

[Paige Davila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enemies to lovers Slow Burn. Finn is a chef at The Royal Rooster, April is owns a Wedding event center and does the planning. Finn is the typical biker with a different lady for every night of the week. Their dislike of each other is mutual until it isn't!

[Cheryl Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice read and im thankful for the ARC but it just slightly missed the mark for me. Missing depth on the growth of their relationship. I dont know how April could be so okay with Finn after loathing him and his food.

[Tammara (Tami) Borden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoy a good enemies to lovers book and this was such a great one. What's even better is at the end of the book three places (Elmira, Horseheads, and Watkins Glen) are mentioned and for me they are only a couple of hours away from home!